Tuesday, 30 December 2014

I've been playing around with this idea for quite some time but the timing was never right (due to my order book being full/current projects) and there were still some small details I needed to figure out.

I've become aware that time is very precious and there are so many things that I wished I’d done or wished I could do. There is only me that can control what I do and when so its time now that I took the bag by its straps (see what I did there lol) and steered myself in a slightly new direction.

The only way that I can see that I can do this is to change how I work. I feel like I no longer have the time to sit and make stock for my website and facebook page. Its actually counter productive for me as I always feel like I'm rushing to get things finished and feel under pressure to constantly keep things ‘stocked up’. Now if I was an empire and had people working for me and had a production line this wouldn't be a problem. But since its only me, with my sewing machine, in my home studio with one pair of hands, I have a full time job, a house, a Mr.Bagladee and three kitties to look after, its a lot of pressure for me to put on myself…..and believe me I do.

I don't want to be churning out stock at the speed of light because I think I need to. I've never done this, if you ask my other half or my family they will tell you the hours that I sit, cutting out patterns, fabric, sewing, pressing, hand stitching, unpicking and restitching to make sure that everything I make is as perfect as I can physically make it. This then either eats into my time that I should be doing other things, family things, and then because I can't sit and craft (as I love to do) I then get frustrated with myself for not being “organised” enough. I'm sure you’ll agree with me that there are just not enough hours in the day! Which is why I've decided that how I spend those hours needs to be carefully thought out. I want to spend as much time as I can making the things that I love and that really makes me happy.

So here it is then…….

As from today there will be no more “stock” made, please don't be sad, this will be a good thing. It will mean that from now on I will be making one off bags and selling them as they are made. They will be new and old designs but with extra little bits added to them making them all that little bit more special. They will be a tiny bit more expensive, but they will be worth it. I will be selecting special fabrics, which also means I need to have a clear out!! I will also be making a wide variety of styles which means that you will see lots of different makes from me.

I will also be leaving little slots throughout the year for people to grab to have their own tailor made bags, but I will be keeping these to a minimum.

There is something a little bit different in the pipeline for my Gingerbread men decorations but more about that later, you will still be able to order these as normal for the time being.

I will of course plan in a “Market Night” maybe twice a year in which I will make a small selection of items that will be up for grabs, one being before Christmas and one maybe mid year.

Hopefully this will mean that I can get back to enjoying what I love to do which is create beautifully, well made bags and accessories for you to give a new home to and love as much as I did making them.

Now I am armed with a new direction, sketchpad, notebook and diary I'm ready and raring to take on 2015. Thank you for all your continued support and encouragement, without you I’d just be a woman sat in her creative space sewing, you make me Bagladee and for that I'm eternally grateful. xPS. For those interested there are a few ready to post items in my For Sale album on Facebook.

This Christmas I decided to try and make my own bows to go with my gift wrapping. After careful deconstruction of one of the foil paper ones you can buy in the shops, I found that construction was pretty easy.

It was just a case of figuring out how wide/long loops to make to get the right size bow. After a couple of attempts I came up with a medium size which was perfect.

Think I might write a little tutorial for these as they are so easy to make and can be used for birthday, anniversary gifts also. What do you think?

Can you believe how amazing this macaron snowman is!! My friend at work makes the most fantastic cakes and he brought these into work on the last week. The filling was white chocolate mousse and it was absolutely delicious. Sad to say I bit his head off ;)

And we seem to have been indulging in quite a lot of these too!!! I was going to say complete with flake but they were scoffed before I got a chance to put them on the top. We had to make do with crumbs lol :D

Saturday, 13 December 2014

Oh how I do love putting the tree up at Christmas! We always have a real one and this year we went for this handsome fellow.

My theme is always red and green, very traditional I know and we have a mish mash of baubles. Some are shop bought and some are handmade. Sadly there are no gingerbread men on the tree as I just never have time to make them for myself.

But I do rather adore these stag head decorations Mr.B bought me this year. Maybe now my order books are closed I can sit and make some gingers for our tree!

I'm most definitely on Christmas Countdown now......not long to go! :D

First time in a long time I've been on a works Christmas party and I had a fabulous time.

Now the day job is over until the new year it's time to get ready for the big day. Turkey is sorted and veg ordered, presents are being wrapped this afternoon, there has even been a little bit of festive crafting. Can't wait to get the table set for Christmas dinner!

Where have you been? Well where do I start! As my order books are now closed I've been off enjoying the festive season like no year before. With no Christmas craft fairs planned in I was able to visit Lincoln Christmas Market. Even though it was about an hour away in the car it was worth it.

Everything was so Christmassy, given the fact I drank way to many samples of festive tipples I was definitely "Merry" :D

I left with some goodies for us, elderberry port, some homemade chutney and a cute ceramic robin ornament. This really got me in the Christnas Spirit. What was next on the list??? Oh yes, works (dayjob) Christmas party....